Sudbury Wolves 2019 Offseason Thread

[Voice from the North]

I really like how this management is putting things together. They have a plan for now and the future. Building credibility. Well done.

The depth has increased every year since Papineau has become the GM. The Wolves cut some pretty good forwards last year and will almost certainly cut/trade OHL calibre forwards this year. Now if Savage, Loponen, Aucoin and Dichow show up that will lead to a lot of decisions to be made

 

[salming 21]

Move on old argument. I want my hockey team to have the best talent possible to win. Regardless of where their from or position they play.

Well, if you like seeing the National team do well at the world juniors or the Hlinka etc. then you need to do a better job of developing goalies. We're losing opportunities for these kids to play meaningful hockey between the ages of 16 and 20. It's the difference between being a Wolves fan or a hockey fan. You're a Wolves fan. But it's not an argument that should be walked from if you like seeing Canada do well. Personally I don't like the import draft for any positions.

 

[Voice from the North]

Amen. It's good to see how many options we seem to have at Forward and Defense this year heading into camp. More players buying in, we won't be settling for anyone. Fantastic.

No more begging for borderline players

 

[djscooter]

Well, if you like seeing the National team do well at the world juniors or the Hlinka etc. then you need to do a better job of developing goalies. We're losing opportunities for these kids to play meaningful hockey between the ages of 16 and 20. It's the difference between being a Wolves fan or a hockey fan. You're a Wolves fan. But it's not an argument that should be walked from if you like seeing Canada do well. Personally I don't like the import draft for any positions.

Easy there Don Cherry.

 

[salming 21]

Easy there Don Cherry.

LOL that's fine, I've been called worse. It's just myopic if you like National team hockey, and I do.

 

[I Loveallsports]

LOL that's fine, I've been called worse. It's just myopic if you like National team hockey, and I do.

Ukko ukko ukko

 

[salming 21]

Ukko ukko ukko

It just occurred to me that you're likely Finnish lol

 

[hockeynorth]

Nice article here on Manikis

Wolves hunt down forward: Manikis decommits from NCAA program, signs with Sudbury

 

[HockeyHell]

Anyone else want to take a stab at a roster? I know I favour youth but other people have different ideal lineups what’re people thinking. If I remember right @HockeyHell was pretty close last year after a big debate with me before camp.

Yes..I remember. I think if the organization thinks they can make a deep run then they load up on older players. Obviously we have spots to fill so there will be new faces. I would like an OA to be a defenseman but I am not sure who I would swap out. I would like both Euros to sign and then I would have a better feeling about things.

 

[Tarantula]

Holy Mackinaw!

 

[WaW]

Holy Mackinaw!

Was gonna say...I can't believe Joe Bowen is on HFBoards

 

[WaW]

LOL that's fine, I've been called worse. It's just myopic if you like National team hockey, and I do.

Man. There are 60 CHL teams. We already saw what it was like with all of them having domestic goalies for years. More than half of them have zero professional futures. Some of them throw up miserable to downright embarrassing numbers. Look, there isn't a person here against the development of Canadian goalies, but there also isn't a single Canadian goalie in the CHL who has a serious professional future as well as a future as an elite Canadian netminder to the point where he's a national rep, who isn't getting a solid development opportunity at this level.

Weeks and Bowen already went through the NHL draft, and have had their chances at the major junior level to show what they can do. If Lemaire is good enough he will seize his opportunity and earn that development time. I'm sorry, but it's awfully naive to suggest there are Canadian goalies out there who have suffered the astronomical difference of not even playing major professional hockey when "if they had a shot" in the OHL they would have become elite team Canada calibre players.

Any Canadian goalie good enough and worth developing for the future of Canada's national team and representation at the NHL level is getting his shot in the CHL.

It's a hard truth, but a truth nonetheless.

 

[member 236327]

Well, if you like seeing the National team do well at the world juniors or the Hlinka etc. then you need to do a better job of developing goalies. We're losing opportunities for these kids to play meaningful hockey between the ages of 16 and 20. It's the difference between being a Wolves fan or a hockey fan. You're a Wolves fan. But it's not an argument that should be walked from if you like seeing Canada do well. Personally I don't like the import draft for any positions.

Canada had arguably the best ranked goalie prospect at the Tournament (Dipietro).. How did that work out for us?

 

[hockieguy]

Malik is not reporting to the Soo, so there wont likely be a trade that involves a goalie there. Propp is likely going to stay.

 

[HockeyPops]

Malik is not reporting to the Soo, so there wont likely be a trade that involves a goalie there. Propp is likely going to stay.

You speak as if they are facts, but neither of those "facts" are confirmed, in fact both have legitimate reason to doubt.

 

[hockieguy]

You speak as if they are facts, but neither of those "facts" are confirmed, in fact both have legitimate reason to doubt.

We'll see when camp opens.

 

[hockieguy]

You speak as if they are facts, but neither of those "facts" are confirmed, in fact both have legitimate reason to doubt.

We will see when camp opens.

 

[I Loveallsports]

 

[hockeynorth]

Wanted this kid on the wolves this year it’s too bad

 

[I Loveallsports]

Wanted this kid on the wolves this year it’s too bad

He probably knew he was a longshot to crack the lineup. Remember, he was a 10th round pick

 

[hockeynorth]

He probably knew he was a longshot to crack the lineup. Remember, he was a 10th round pick

I don’t know he seemed like he’d push for me. Loved his game. But it’s a super smart decision for him and I’d make the same in his place.

 

[Kingpin794]

Well, if you like seeing the National team do well at the world juniors or the Hlinka etc. then you need to do a better job of developing goalies. We're losing opportunities for these kids to play meaningful hockey between the ages of 16 and 20. It's the difference between being a Wolves fan or a hockey fan. You're a Wolves fan. But it's not an argument that should be walked from if you like seeing Canada do well. Personally I don't like the import draft for any positions.

*checks username*

"Isn't it ironic, don't you think?" - A. Morissette

 

[howlman]

He probably knew he was a longshot to crack the lineup. Remember, he was a 10th round pick

Doesn't always matter where you're drafted if you have the skill, late bloomer (see Pouliot, Leivo)

Labelle is a highly skilled, fast and intelligent player. Thought the Wolves had another steal here in the 10th round, and I think he could have made this team this year as one of the 02's, and beat out guys like Gilhula, Butler etc.

Never say never though, as seen recently with Manikis. We could see Labelle in the future.

 

[howlman]

Forward lines will be interesting.

We know Byfield will be on the top line. Last season Byfield seen guys play on his line such as Carson, Murray, Hutcheson, Gilhula. Will be interesting to see what combo Stillman goes with. I think Murray will be on Byfield's line, Murray has a deadly one timer on his off wing and can get his shot off quickly. Byfield will be feeding him all season long. 40 goals isn't out of the question for Murray playing with someone as good as Byfield.

2nd line I feel Stillman will go back with the combo of Robinson, Bulitka, Levin. This was a solid line last season once they were put together and showed good chemistry, but Levin got injured, and Ruzicka slid into his spot on this line.

Manikis should be solid on the third line and show what he's made of, with a combo of two of Carson, Hutcheson or Gilhula.

Rounding out the lines could be the rookie line with Larmand, McCallum, Stillman. Maybe they keep McConville as a grinder and sub in and out Larmand.

Lets hope we have a surprise or two at camp up front, and who knows maybe even a trade or two to improve things or make space.

Ontario Hockey League – Official Site of the Ontario Hockey League

 

[the dog]

Is Blake Butler signed yet?